HC Deb 09 February 1972 vol 830 cc369-70W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number and total cost of new sewage treatment schemes which have been completed in each of the last 10 years and the number and total estimated cost of those schemes which are expected to be completed in 1972 and 1973.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Figures relating to the number of sewage treatment schemes are not available but I list below the capital expenditure on sewerage and sewage disposal by local authorities and new town development corporations in England and Wales over the last 10 years, followed by the Department's estimate of the amount to be spent on these services in 1971–72 and 1972–73. Separate figures are not available relating to sewage treatment schemes only.

Year Actual Expenditure
£ million
1961–62 47.6
1962–63 54.6
1963–64 59.9
1964–65 64.1
1965–66 64.4
1966–67 75.2
1967–68 96.2
1968–69 109.0
1969–70 113.0
1970–71 133.3
Estimated Expenditure
1971–72 155.0
1972–73 185.0

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of new sewage treatment schemes which still require to be constructed in England and Wales in order to achieve satisfactory effluent levels.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication later this year of Volume 2 of the report on the River Pollution Survey. This will give information about the, number of existing sewage treatment works where the effluent is unsatisfactory and where schemes are required to make it satisfactory. These schemes may take the form of either an extension at the existing site, or construction of new works or diversion of the effluent to another works for treatment.

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